Protective Effect of Vitamin E Against Lead-induced Memory and Learning Impairment in Male Rats

Lead (pb2+) is a neurotoxin substance that has been known for its adverse effects on central nervous system and memory. previous studies reported the potential effect of vitamin e as a memory enhancer. the purpose of the present study was to assess the protective effects of vitamin e against pb-induced amnesia. forty-eight male wistar rats (200-250 g) were divided equally into the saline, pb, pb + vitamin e, and vitamin e alone groups. to induce pb toxicity, rats received water that contained 0.2% pb instead of regular water for 1 month. rats pretreated, treated or post treated with vitamin e (150 mg/kg) for 2 months. passive avoidance learning was assessed using shuttle-box after two months. retention was tested 24 and 48 hours after training. the results showed that pb caused impairment in acquisition and retrieval processes in passive avoidance learning. vitamin e reversed learning and memory deficits in pre, post or co- exposure with pb (p < 0.001). according to the results of this study, administration of vitamin e to rats counteracts the negative effects of pb on learning and memory. to more precisely extrapolate these findings to humans, future clinical studies are warranted.